WATERTOWN, Wis. -- Three first-half goals from Katie Schoeneck fueled a 5-0 Martin Luther win today, but the Sabercats showed signs of promise in their first game of the season.

Megan Prigge was at the center of the Sabercats' attack, which came close with 10 shots and five shots on goal on the day. With the loss, the Sabercats look forward to a 2:00 p.m. test against Buena Vista University next Thursday in Watertown.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 0-5 Martin Luther
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Event: 2024 Hope Opener
• Attendance: 189
• Record: MBU (0-1-0), MLC (1-1-1) 

STORY

The game was back and forth in the first 15 minutes, as the Sabercats created chances right along with the Knights in the opening exchanges. Faith Dargy put a shot on frame in the opening minutes, and after she was denied, Martin Luther opened the scoring at the other end of the field just a few minutes later. Schoeneck was the main character in the first half, as she needed just 25 minutes to complete her hat-trick.

Megan Prigge and Esther Bishop both fired shots off for the Sabercats in the opening act - Prigge's was a saved free kick and Bishop's scared the right corner on its way by the net. At the halftime break, the Knights were calling the shots score-wise, but Maranatha was right there in the game.

Ultimately, the Knights held off any hopes of a Sabercats breakthrough. Prigge had the best chance of the second half with a penalty kick, but the captain's effort was saved by Maria Vik. At the other end, Rachel Schoeneck and Lilianne Zimpelmann scored twice in quick succession to round out the 5-0 win for Martin Luther.

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Maranatha Starters: 0- Dodd, 3- Cansler, 4- Wilson, 5- Graham (C), 7- Smith, 8- Bishop, 9- Prigge (C), 11- Schroeder, 13- Schmidt (C), 14- Dargy, 20- Herrera

STATS

• Shot Count: Maranatha 10-29 Martin Luther
• Shots on Goal: Maranatha 5-10 Martin Luther 
• K. Schoeneck: 7 S, 5 SOG, 3 G, 1 A
• Last time: Maranatha fell to Martin Luther 4-0 in the 2022 season opener
• Series: Maranatha trails the all-time series against Martin Luther 0-3-0

OPPONENTS

• Martin Luther competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA Dlll)
• Martin Luther finished the 2023 season with a 5-11-2 record

NEXT

The Sabercats stay in Watertown to face Buena Vista University on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.